The Washington critic., 1887-09-30
WASHINGTON, SEPT, 80, 1851
JuDar onrRLy,s "nomnsnsLL.o

opinion, which was read before the |
Illinois Democratic Association last
evening, In which he holds that State |
organizations Of that kind. oilcored |
and managed bv employees Of the Gov. |
ornment for political purposes, are in
conuayeulion both OF the spirit and
letter of the Civil Service Law.
In this view Of the case, The CHTrc
believes Commissioner OberDy to be
correct, though his Interpretation of
the law may seem ut first glance 10 be
somewhat strained,
Obviously, however, the State Asso.
Citations cannot be run without money.
Funds are needed TO carry out their
objects. Without funds they would
be imperative and cease to exist.
How are these funds to be raised
BY contributions from members.
To what uses are they to be applied?
AS Mr.. oberly says; "To the promotion
of political objects"
They may be expended in sending
men home to vote, 10 the publication OF
campaign literature, In donations to
campaign committees. And in the
collection Of these moneys 1t must be-
come necessary for some one to solicit
or receive of another, both of whom
are debarred from such action by the
law.
1t is absurd, of course, that while an
individual employo may hold such
political views as he pleases, express
them openly, labor for their promulga-
tion, take part in elections and pay
such sums as he may choose to help
carry them, the same privilege cannot
be allowed TO two or three, or half
dozen employees who may prefer to
reach an exactly similar end by forming
State association with the usual
machinery for making its work eiTec.
tive.
But such is the law, and Commis.
sioner Oberly is only responsible for its
execution and not for Its enactment.
Bad as the law may be, the Admins
tration Is pledged to Its enforcement,
and our Democratic friends will have to
put up with 1t.
The only radical remedy we can
think of is to effect repeal of the
statute; and as the Democrats in Con-
gress lack the nerve to urge such an
extreme measure Of relief let the sense
of the people at large be taken on 1t, as
suggested in the Democratic platform
of New York. If public sentiment is
found adverse to the law, Congress will
pluck up courage 10 obliterate 1t.
Otherwise, not
In the meantime, however, the law is
susceptible to amendment, and we
should advise the State associations,
instead of spending money for counsel
fees In vain effort to reverse Judge
Oberly's opinion, to make massed
onset upon their delegations In Con-
gress to modify the grievances com.
plained of and make reasonable pro-
vision for the exercise of their political
rights by the Governments employees.
There is no way by which the Civil
Service can be reduced to mere hum.
drum machine so surely as by inhibit.
ing Its independence and freedom OF
political action. The law as 1t stands Is
W ClhuoNulutC thhh "
elevate the service: to rob 1t of self-re
spect rather than inspire It with pa.
trio,ic devotion to principle. But so II
stands, and so 1t must stand, until re-
pealed or whipped into decent shape by
amendment.
THE large vote cast by the Prohi.
bitionists in Tennessee on the question
of submitting to the people Prohibl-
tion amendment to the State Constitu.
tion, Is something of surprise to the
politicians. The majority against the
amendment is estimated at 0, 900 to 6,
600 only, and 1t Is to be noticed thai
the Prohibition vote, though large In
East Tennessee, as expected, develops
considerable strength In all sections OF
the State. There is no mistaking the
fact that the temperance cause Is making
vigorous headway, and 1t were nothing
to be wonderd at II this new factor In
the politics of the day should gather
force enough in time to break the solid
South.
THE School Board did a wise thing
In adopting Mr. Fishs resolution in
hiblting the use of school books out
side of school hours. 1t applies to the
first five grades only, but it is here thai
the needed reform is most wanted, aud
the success of the rule, which may bl
safely predicted, will probably resul
in Its more extended application. Mr.
Fish has entitled himself to the graft
tude of many children and their parent
for inauguratlng so wholesome and de
sirable q change.
THE Missouri Republican of Tues
day morning last contains three hun
dred and forty seven well executed
half'cClumn portraits of prominen
officials and others Of the Grand Army
now In attendance at the 81. Louis En-
campment. 1t leads at great lengtl
all journalistic feats of similar sor
ever before attempted. Our esteemeC
contemporary at the other end Of tn
big bridge Is to be congratulated upor
the brilliancy and numerousness of 1t
success.
A PRESIDENTIAL boom In behalf o
General Clinton b. Fisk has beel
started among the Prohibltionists o
New Jersey, and In some counties ha
attained considerable momentum. Thi
looks like poaching on st. Johns pre-
eprvpa lint a norni N on b,, .b N Droht